Patent GB-870039-A (GB)
Title: Automatic pin setter
Inventor: HUCK WILLIAM F
IPC: A63D5/08
Filed: 1959-06-22
Abstract: 870,039. Skittle alleys. BRUNSWICKBALKE-COLLENDER CO. June 22, 1959, No. 21370/59. Class 132(2). A mechanically operated bowling alley includes a deck I which is lowered in a detecting cycle after the first ball is bowled and is stopped at higher and lower heights depending on whether or not it engages any standing pins, and the height at which it is stopped sets through a link a selector disc which allows operation of only one of two cam followers, one for initiating a pin resetting cycle if pins were left standing and the other for initiating a cycle in which a new set of pins are placed on the bed if a strike had been made. Balls and pins are carried rearwardly in pit 2 by jigging conveyer A, the former being raised by rotating annular conveyer B to rails C feeding a return runway and the latter being raised by conveyer E on to inclined elevator G. From the forward end of the elevator the pins are discharged one into each pocket 51 of a turret H rotated to bring the pockets one by one under the conveyer until filled, the pins being supported by rollers 55. Setting deck 1. includes an upper movable platform 62 provided with buckets 63, receiving each a, pin at the appropriate time from turret H, and a lower fixed platform 60, the pins being held by shoes 61, 64 on platforms 60, 62 and being released on to the alley bed 1 by rearward movement of platform 62 and its shoes. Platform 60 carries on its lower face a plate 66 having apertures for the passage of the pins and scissors 85 for gripping the pins during resetting. The pin deck mechanism is driven by a continuously rotating motor through a clutch, gear-box and a mechanical control centre including cams. In operating, the alley bed 1 having a set of pins, the first ball enters the pit and hits curtain K, moving it rearwards, so that it..throws in the main clutch through levers 136, 140 to start the cycle whereupon the rake 117 is lowered to guard position by movement of links 155, 125 and the deck I descends. If pins are left standing they limit the descent-and this is conveyed to the selector disc in the control centre so that the following operations occur. Scissors 85 are actuated to grip the pins and the deck rises whereupon the rake 117 sweeps deadwood into the pit and returns through the guard position to raised position; the deck descends, resets the pins by release of scissors 85, andrises again; an indicator light is lit to denote readiness for the second ball. After the second ball contacts curtain K to throw in the main clutch, the bed is swept by the rake 117 and the deck descends to a much lower level whereupon platform 62 is moved rearwards to drop a new set of pins on the bed-and then the deck rises to its original position. If the first ball knocks down all ten pins, the descent of the deck is not limited by a standing pin and this lower level is conveyed to the control centre to shift the selector disc and this results in sweeping the bed and setting of a new set of pins in a similar manner to the second ball cycle referred to above. If, after the first ball, one or more pins are so far off spot that they cannot be picked up by scissors 85, their heads will prevent descent of the deck by meeting plate 66 instead of the holes therein and this level is conveyed to the control centre to stop the machine. If a foul be committed on the first ball, it is detected and conveyed to the control centre via a time delay so as to cause illumination of a foul light and to place a new set of pins on the bed. The time delay acts so that crossing of the foul line at times other than at bowling a ball does not modify the machine cycle. To allow effective operation of conveyer A. curtain K is raised whenever rake 117 is lowered by means of link 130 interconnecting them. Provision is made for bowling "a spare" at will.